Frame assembly
By designing the reinforcement and the lower beam that is easily broken bolted in the frame assembly, the problem of insufficient energy absorption during frontal collision of the vehicle is solved, and higher collision safety and battery protection effect are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN201811094319.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2017-09-25
- Filing Date
- 2018-09-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2038-09-19
AI Technical Summary
In frontal collisions, prior art is difficult to effectively absorb and disperse the energy generated by the collision, resulting in the potential damage to the battery and other components.
Design a frame assembly, including a subframe, a lower beam, a battery cage and reinforcement. The reinforcement is bolted to the lower side beam and extends along the load path when the vehicle crashes head-on, separated from the lower side beam by breakable bolts to absorb energy and reduce the impact on the battery.
Through the separation mechanism between the reinforcement and the lower beam, the energy generated by the frontal collision of the vehicle is effectively absorbed, the risk of damage to the battery and other components is reduced, and the vehicle's collision safety is improved.
Smart Images
Figure CN109572822B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle frame components, and more particularly to a vehicle frame assembly. Background Art
[0002] The vehicle body includes various structural components. During a frontal collision of the vehicle, some of these components may be designed to deform to absorb the energy generated by the frontal collision of the vehicle, and some of these components may be designed to remain rigid to transfer the energy generated by the frontal collision of the vehicle. Summary of the invention
[0003] An assembly includes a subframe, a side sill, a battery holder supported by the side sill, and a battery supported by the battery holder. The assembly includes a reinforcement bolted to the side sill and positioned to follow a load path in the subframe resulting from a frontal vehicle collision.
[0004] The assembly may include a bolt connecting the reinforcement to the rocker. The bolt may be designed to be breakable relative to at least one of the reinforcement and the rocker.
[0005] When the bolt is broken relative to at least one of the reinforcement member and the rocker, the reinforcement member may be separated from the rocker.
[0006] The assembly may include a bolt connecting the reinforcement to the rocker at the connection point. At least one of the bolt, the reinforcement at the connection point, and the rocker at the connection point may be designed to allow the reinforcement to separate from the rocker during a frontal vehicle collision.
[0007] In a full vehicle frontal collision, the subframe may be secured to the lower side rail.
[0008] The reinforcement member may be elongated along the longitudinal axis. The bolts may be spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
[0009] The reinforcement member may have a rectangular cross-section.
[0010] The reinforcement member may be hollow in cross section.
[0011] The reinforcement member may have a hollow cross-section.
[0012] The assembly may include a bridge bracket extending from the subframe to the reinforcement member.
[0013] The rocker may include a top side and a lower side opposite the top side.The reinforcement may be bolted to the lower side of the rocker.
[0014] The reinforcement member may be spaced apart from the battery holder.
[0015] The rocker may be located between the reinforcement element and the battery holder.
[0016] The assembly may include a second rocker, the second rocker being opposite to the rocker. The battery holder may extend from the rocker to the second rocker.
[0017] The assembly may include a second rocker. The second rocker may be spaced apart from the rocker. The battery holder may be located between the second rocker and the rocker.
[0018] An assembly includes a rocker that is elongated along a longitudinal axis. The assembly includes a reinforcement that is bolted to the rocker and elongated along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The assembly includes bolts that connect the reinforcement to the rocker. The bolts may be spaced apart along the longitudinal axis. The bolts may connect the reinforcement to the rocker at a connection point. At least one of the bolts, the reinforcement at the connection point, and the rocker at the connection point may be designed to allow the reinforcement to separate from the rocker during a frontal vehicle collision.
[0019] The reinforcement may be positioned to follow a load path resulting from a frontal vehicle impact.
[0020] The bolt may be designed to be breakable relative to at least one of the reinforcement and the rocker.
[0021] The reinforcement member may have a rectangular and hollow cross-section.
[0022] The assembly may include a battery holder supported by the rocker. The battery holder may be spaced apart from the reinforcement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the frame.
[0024] Figure 2 It is a side view of a portion of the frame.
[0025] Figure 3 It is the top view of the frame.
[0026] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view of the lower side rail (rocker) and reinforcement of the frame.
[0027] Figure 5 is a side view of the frame and the forces acting on it.
[0028] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle frame after a force has been applied to the frame, with the reinforcement separated from the rocker.
[0029] Figure 7 After the force has been applied to the frame Figure 6Cross-section of the lower side beam and reinforcement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Referring to the drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like parts throughout the several views, an assembly 14 is generally shown. The assembly 14 may be referred to as a frame assembly. The assembly 14 includes a subframe 38; a rocker 18; a battery holder 28 supported by the rocker 18; and a battery 30 supported by the battery holder 28. The assembly 14 includes a reinforcement 26 bolted to the rocker 18 and positioned to follow a load path P in the subframe 38 resulting from a frontal vehicle collision.
[0031] Since the reinforcement 26 is bolted to the rocker 18 and is positioned to follow the load path P in the subframe 38 generated by a frontal vehicle collision, the reinforcement 26 absorbs energy along the load path P during a frontal vehicle collision to reduce the possibility of damage to the battery 30 during a frontal vehicle collision. For example, as further described below, the reinforcement 26 can be separated from the rocker 18 to absorb energy transmitted via the rocker 18, that is, to eliminate or reduce the force transmitted from the rocker 18 to the battery holder 28 and the battery 30 during a frontal vehicle collision, and to eliminate or reduce deformation of the battery holder 28.
[0032] refer to Figure 1 , the vehicle 10 may include a body 12 and an assembly 14. The body 12 may be a unitary structure. In a unitary structure, the body 12, such as the lower side rail 18, the second lower side rail 20, the front end 32, the pillars (not numbered), the roof rails (not numbered), etc., are used as a frame, and the body 12 is integral, that is, a continuous single-piece unit. The body 12 and / or the frame may be formed of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, etc.
[0033] The rocker 18 and the second rocker 20 are each elongated along a longitudinal axis (also referred to as a rocker axis 54). The second rocker 20 is opposite to the rocker 18 relative to the battery holder 28. The rocker axes 54 can each extend generally parallel to the sides of the battery holder 28. The rockers 18, 20 can include an inner member 56 and an outer member 58, and the inner member 56 and the outer member 58 are fixed to each other in any suitable manner, such as bolting, welding, etc. The battery holder 28 can be fixed to the inner member 56 of the rockers 18, 20. The rockers 18, 20 can include a top side 46 and a lower side 48 opposite the top side 46. The rockers 18, 20 can have a shape such as Figure 4 The sections shown are hollow, or the sections may be solid. The rocker rails 18, 20 may be formed from any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, or the like.
[0034] Continue to refer Figure 1, the vehicle 10 may include a battery 30. The battery 30 may be of any suitable type for vehicle electrification, such as a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lead-acid battery, or a supercapacitor, as used in, for example, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV).
[0035] As described above, the battery 30 is supported by the battery holder 28. The battery holder 28 can be supported by the rocker 18, for example, the battery holder 28 can be fixed to the rocker 18. As an example, the battery holder 28 can be directly fixed to the rocker 18, or the battery holder 28 can be fixed to the rocker 18 via an intermediate piece. The battery holder 28 can be fixed to the rocker 18 in any suitable manner, such as bolting, welding, etc. As another example, the battery holder 28 and the rocker 18 can be integral, i.e., a continuous one-piece unit. The battery holder 28 can be substantially the same shape as the battery 30, or any other suitable shape. The battery holder 28 can be formed of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, etc.
[0036] The battery holder 28 may be located between the rocker 18 and the second rocker 20. The battery holder 28 may extend from the rocker 18 to the second rocker 20.
[0037] Continue to refer Figure 1 and Figure 2 The body 12 of the vehicle 10 includes a front end 32. The front end 32 may include a bumper 34, a pair of cross members 36, and a pair of upper longitudinal members 40. The cross member 36 may be formed from another component of the body 12, such as Figure 2 The hinge pillar is shown extending to the bumper 34. The bumper 34 can be supported by each of the cross members 36 and can extend from one of the cross members 36 to another of the cross members 36. An upper longitudinal member 40 can be positioned above the cross members 36. The upper longitudinal member 40 can be formed from another component of the vehicle body 12, such as Figure 2 The hinge post is shown extending to the cross member 36 .
[0038] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the vehicle 10 may include a subframe 38. The subframe 38 may be supported by the front end 32. For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle forward end of the subframe 38 is connected to the cross member 36. The subframe 38 may be connected to the cross member 36 in any suitable manner, such as with fasteners.
[0039] The subframe 38 is fixed to the vehicle body 12, namely, the rocker 18, 20. As an example, the subframe 38 can be indirectly fixed to the vehicle body 12 through an intermediate member. As an example, the bridge bracket 42 can be disposed between the subframe 38 and the rocker 18, 20 and the reinforcement 26, 52. The bridge bracket 42 can be fixed to the subframe 38 and the rocker 18, 20 and the reinforcement 26, 52 in any suitable manner, such as bolting, welding, etc. As another example, the subframe 38 can be directly fixed to the vehicle body 12, namely, the rocker 18, 20. The subframe 38 can be fixed to the vehicle body 12, namely, the rocker 18, 20 in any suitable manner, such as bolting, welding, etc. The subframe 38 can be formed of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, etc.
[0040] refer to Figure 5 , the subframe 38 may define a load path P resulting from a frontal vehicle collision. For example, during a frontal vehicle collision, a force F from, for example, another vehicle, an obstacle, etc., may be applied to the vehicle 10. The frontal vehicle collision may be, for example, a full frontal collision, a moderate overlap collision, a small overlap collision, a frontal oblique collision, etc. Test standards for these different types of frontal vehicle collisions are maintained, for example, by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP), etc.
[0041] Continue to refer Figure 5 , the force F may be transmitted via the front end 32 and may be transmitted via the subframe 38 along the load path P. The load path P includes a middle load path P1, a lower load path P2, and an upper load path P3. The middle load path P1 may extend along the cross member 36, the lower load path P2 may extend along the subframe 38, and the upper load path P3 may extend along the upper longitudinal member 40. The middle load path P1 may receive most of the force F, thereby causing the bumper 34 and the cross member 36 to be like Figure 5 It is deformed as shown, that is, it is squeezed.
[0042] As described above, the assembly 14 may include the bridge bracket 42, and in this example, the bridge bracket 42 is positioned to follow the lower load path P2, and the bridge bracket 42 transfers the force F from the subframe 38 to the reinforcements 26, 52. The bridge bracket 42 may be designed to be substantially rigid relative to the subframe 38, the rocker 18, 20, and the reinforcement 26, i.e., designed to transfer the force from the subframe 38 to the rocker 18, 20, and the reinforcement 26. The bridge bracket 42 may be formed of any suitable material, such as cast steel, cast aluminum, etc.
[0043] The subframe 38 may remain secured to the rocker 18, 20 throughout a frontal vehicle impact. For example, the subframe 38 may remain secured to the rocker 18, 20 after the force F has been transmitted through the vehicle 10 and no longer forces due to the frontal vehicle impact are exerted on the vehicle 10. In particular, in examples where the assembly 14 includes the bridge bracket 42, the subframe 38 remains secured to the bridge bracket 42 and the bridge bracket 42 remains secured to the rocker 18, 20 during and after a frontal vehicle impact.
[0044] Referring to the drawings, the assembly 14 includes reinforcements 26, 52 bolted to the rocker rails 18, 20, respectively. The reinforcements 26, 52 are elongated along an axis, i.e., the reinforcement axis 44, that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, i.e., the rocker axis 54. As described above, the reinforcement 26 is positioned to follow the load path P in the subframe 38 resulting from a frontal vehicle collision. For example, the reinforcement 26 can be positioned to follow the lower load path P2, and the reinforcement 26 can transmit and / or absorb a portion of the force F.
[0045] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the reinforcement 26 may have a rectangular cross-section. As another example, the cross-section of the reinforcement may be any suitable shape, such as circular, elliptical, triangular, etc. The reinforcement 26 may be hollow. As another example, the cross-section of the reinforcement 26 may be solid. The reinforcement 26 may be formed of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, etc.
[0046] As described above, the reinforcement 26 is bolted to the rocker 18. For example, the reinforcement 26 can be bolted to the underside 48 of the rocker 18. As another example, the reinforcement 26 can be bolted to the top side 46 of the rocker 18. Alternatively, the reinforcement 26 can be bolted to the rocker 18 at any suitable location. The reinforcement 26 can be spaced apart from the battery holder 28. For example, the battery holder 28 can be secured to the inner member 56 of the rocker 18, the reinforcement 26 can be bolted to the underside 48 of the rocker 18, and the rocker 18 can be between the reinforcement 26 and the battery holder 28.
[0047] Referring to the figures, the assembly 14 may include bolts 22 that connect the reinforcement 26 to the rocker 18 at the connection point 24. The bolts 22 may be spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, i.e., the reinforcement axis 44. The bolts 22 may be evenly spaced apart along the reinforcement axis 44, or the bolts 22 may be spaced apart along the reinforcement axis 44 in any suitable pattern. The bolts 22 may extend completely through the reinforcement 26 and may include a weld nut 50 disposed on each end of the bolts 22. The bolts 22 may be of any suitable size and shape. The bolts 22 may be formed of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, etc.
[0048] At least one of the bolt 22, the reinforcement 26 at the connection point 24, and the rocker 18 at the connection point 24 may be designed to allow the reinforcement 26 to separate from the rocker 18 during a frontal vehicle collision. For example, when a force F from a frontal vehicle collision is applied to the vehicle 10 and transmitted through the lower load path P2, the force F may cause the bolt 22 to be crushed relative to at least one of the reinforcement 26 and the rocker 18; and / or the force F may cause the reinforcement 26 at the connection point 24 to deform and expand to a size greater than the diameter of the bolt 22, thereby separating the reinforcement 26 from the rocker 18; and / or the force F may cause the rocker 18 at the connection point 24 to deform and expand to a size greater than the diameter of the bolt 22, thereby separating the reinforcement 26 and the bolt 22 from the rocker 18.
[0049] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the bolt 22 can be designed to be easily broken relative to at least one of the reinforcement 26 and the rocker 18. For example, when the force F is applied to the vehicle 10 and transmitted through the lower load path P2, the force F can cause the bolt 22 to break relative to at least one of the reinforcement 26 and the rocker 18. When the bolt 22 is broken relative to at least one of the reinforcement 26 and the rocker 18, the reinforcement 26 can be separated from the rocker 18. For example, as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, when the bolt 22 is broken, the reinforcement member 26 is separated from the rocker 18 .
[0050] refer to Figure 5 During a frontal collision of the vehicle, at least some of the force F is transferred from the subframe 38 through the bridging bracket 42 to the rocker 18, 20 and the reinforcement 26, 52 along the load path P2. When the force F is transferred to the rocker 18, 20 and the reinforcement 26, 52, the reinforcement 26, 52 separates from the rocker 18, 20 to absorb the force F and eliminate or reduce the force applied to the battery holder 28, thereby eliminating or reducing deformation of the battery holder 28. As an example, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the bolts 22 may break to absorb the force F, thereby allowing the reinforcement members 26 , 52 to separate from the rocker rails 18 , 20 .
[0051] The present disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to have the nature of words of description rather than limitation. In light of the above teachings, many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible, and the present disclosure may be implemented in other ways than specifically described.
[0052] According to the present invention, an assembly is provided, which has: a subframe; a lower side rail; a battery holder, which is supported by the lower side rail; a battery, which is supported by the battery holder; and a reinforcement, which is bolted to the lower side rail and is positioned to follow the load path generated in the subframe due to a frontal vehicle collision.
[0053] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a bolt connecting the reinforcement member to the rocker, the bolt being designed to be breakable relative to at least one of the reinforcement member and the rocker.
[0054] According to one embodiment, when the bolt is broken relative to at least one of the reinforcement member and the rocker, the reinforcement member is separated from the rocker.
[0055] According to one embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a bolt connecting the reinforcement to the rocker at a connection point, wherein at least one of the bolt, the reinforcement at the connection point, and the rocker at the connection point is designed to allow the reinforcement to separate from the rocker during a frontal vehicle collision.
[0056] According to one embodiment, the subframe is secured to the rocker throughout the vehicle frontal impact.
[0057] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement is elongated along the longitudinal axis and the bolts are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
[0058] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement has a rectangular cross-section.
[0059] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement is hollow in cross section.
[0060] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement has a cross-section which is hollow.
[0061] According to one embodiment, the invention further features a bridging bracket extending from the subframe to the reinforcement.
[0062] According to one embodiment, the rocker includes a top side and a lower side opposite to the top side, and the reinforcement is bolted to the lower side of the rocker.
[0063] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement is spaced apart from the battery holder.
[0064] According to one embodiment, the rocker is located between the reinforcement and the battery holder.
[0065] According to one embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by: a second rocker opposite to the rocker, and the battery holder extends from the rocker to the second rocker.
[0066] According to one embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a second rocker, the second rocker being spaced apart from the rocker, and the battery holder being located between the second rocker and the rocker.
[0067] According to the present invention, an assembly is provided, which has: a rocker, which extends along a longitudinal axis; a reinforcement, which is bolted to the rocker and extends along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; and bolts, which connect the reinforcement to the rocker; the bolts are spaced apart along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; the bolts connect the reinforcement to the rocker at a connection point, and at least one of the bolts, the reinforcement at the connection point, and the rocker at the connection point is designed to allow the reinforcement to separate from the rocker during a frontal collision of the vehicle.
[0068] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement is positioned to follow a load path resulting from a frontal vehicle impact.
[0069] According to one embodiment, the bolt is designed to be breakable relative to at least one of the reinforcement and the rocker.
[0070] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement has a rectangular and hollow cross-section.
[0071] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a battery holder supported by the rocker, the battery holder being spaced apart from the reinforcement.
Claims
1. A vehicle frame assembly, comprising: Subframe; Lower side beam; A battery holder, the battery holder being supported by the lower side beam; a battery, the battery being supported by the battery holder; as well as A reinforcement is bolted to the rocker and positioned to follow a load path in the subframe resulting from a frontal vehicle collision.
2. The frame assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a bolt connecting the reinforcement to the rocker at a connection point, wherein at least one of the bolt, the reinforcement at the connection point, and the rocker at the connection point is designed to allow the reinforcement to separate from the rocker during a frontal collision of the vehicle.
3. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement member is elongated along a longitudinal axis and the bolts are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
4. The frame assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bridging bracket extending from the subframe to the reinforcement member. 5 . The vehicle frame assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rocker includes a top side and a lower side opposite the top side, and the reinforcement is bolted to the lower side of the rocker.
6. The vehicle frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower rail is located between the reinforcement member and the battery holder.
7. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second rocker opposite to the rocker, and the battery holder extends from the rocker to the second rocker.
8. The vehicle frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reinforcement member has a rectangular cross-section.
9. The vehicle frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reinforcement member has a hollow cross-section.
10. The vehicle frame assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reinforcement member is spaced apart from the battery holder.
11. The vehicle frame assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the subframe is fixed to the rocker throughout a frontal collision of the vehicle.
12. A vehicle frame assembly, comprising: a lower side rail, the lower side rail extending along a longitudinal axis; a reinforcement member bolted to the rocker and elongated along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis; as well as a bolt connecting the reinforcement to the rocker; said bolts being spaced apart along said axis parallel to said longitudinal axis; The bolt connects the reinforcement to the rocker at a connection point, and at least one of the bolt, the reinforcement at the connection point, and the rocker at the connection point is designed to allow the reinforcement to separate from the rocker during a frontal vehicle collision.
13. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 12, wherein the reinforcement is positioned to follow a load path resulting from a frontal impact of the vehicle.
14. The vehicle frame assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the reinforcement member has a rectangular and hollow cross-section.
15. The vehicle frame assembly of claim 12, further comprising a battery holder supported by the rocker, the battery holder being spaced apart from the reinforcement.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Reinforcing structure for battery tray mounting part of electric automobile
JP1998119814A